CHAPTER TOOLS

Keywords:

image interpretation;

image processing;

remote sensing data;

sensor systems;

system characteristics

Summary

This chapter addresses a remote sensing system in a wider perspective-remote sensing of planetary objects, remote sensing at a ground level, remote sensing from an airborne platform (e.g. aerial photography), remote sensing through energy other than electromagnetic waves (e.g. ultrasonic). The chapter explains monitoring the Earth from satellites remotely by means of electromagnetic radiations. Only certain parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are useful for remote sensing. Remote sensing data are collected digitally or in analogue form. The data acquired by the Earth imaging sensors represent the image on the curved surface of the Earth. In many situations, remotely sensed images require human involvement in their interpretation. Although it is feasible to interpret the images algorithmically, human involvement is sometimes preferred. The data captured by on-board sensors are transferred via traditional satellite communications links to the ground station visible from the satellite.